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Herpes virus

Human herpes viruses (HHV) include several very common viruses that have cutaneous manifestations The Herpesvirales family is characterized by:

  • Double chain DNA genome
  • Icosahedral capsid surrounded by an integument
  • Lipid envelope derived from infected cell membranes modified by insertion of encoded viruses glycoproteins
  • 160–200 nm diameter
  • Infectious, latent (persistence in host) and reactive phases of infection
Herpes virus family.
Subfamily Gender Species Common name Abbreviation Condition
Alphaherpesvirinae Simplexvirus Human herpesvirus 1 (HHV1) Herpes simplex virus 1 HSV1 Primary Herpes simplex (cold sores)
Reactivation: Recurrent herpes, eczema herpetic
Human herpesvirus 2 (HHV2) Herpes simplex virus 2 HSV2 Primary genital herpes
Reactivation: recurrent herpes
Varicellovirus Human herpesvirus 3 (HHV3) Varicella zoster virus VZV

Chickenpox
Reactivation: herpes zoster

Betaherpesvirinae Cytomegalovirus Human herpesvirus 5 (HHV5) Cytomegalovirus CMV Cytomegalovirus infection
Roseolovirus Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV6) Roseola virus HHV6B

Roseola
Reactivation: pityriasis rosea drug hypersensitivity syndrome

Human herpesvirus 7 (HHV7)
Gammaherpesvirinae Lymphocriptovirus Human herpesvirus 4 (HHV4) Epstein Barr virus EBV Infectious mononucellosis
Rhadinovirus Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) Kaposi sarcoma associated herpes virus KSV Kaposi's sarcoma